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IDOC ’seriously considering’ moving Logan prison inmates to new facility on Stateville grounds (Updated with Pritzker comments)

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Logan women’s prison would be moved onto the same site as the men’s maximum security Stateville Correctional Center as part of a plan to rebuild both facilities, according to a proposal the Illinois Department of Corrections has submitted to a state commission.

The recommendations from IDOC come a little more than a month after Gov. J.B. Pritzker unveiled a plan to rebuild Stateville and Logan prisons. The governor said the project would cost close to $1 billion, while offering few other details.

The proposal to move Logan from its longtime location in Lincoln, Ill., about 30 miles northeast of Springfield, to the Stateville property in Crest Hill, near Joliet, was included in a report IDOC provided to the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability on Friday, part of a lengthy facilities closure process mandated by the state. […]

The IDOC recommendations sent Friday maintain that the Department does not expect any employees to lose their jobs in the process unless they voluntarily choose a layoff. More than 450 people are staffed at Logan Correctional Center and 939 are employed at Stateville, IDOC said.

* From the IDOC report to COGFA…

IDOC is considering moving Logan from its present location in Lincoln, IL. Specifically, as the Department’s planning has progressed, the current preferred plan for Logan is to build on available ground at Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill, Illinois. A move to Crest Hill would permit a more regionalized approach for the women’s facilities by providing a northern facility to pair with the already centrally located facility in Decatur. […]

As of April 15, 2024, the Department’s individual in custody population at Logan is 1081. There are only 1541 female individuals in custody within the entire Department. The Department has deemed Logan necessary to close due to its crumbling infrastructure, outdated design, and significant need for capital investment. Specifically, there are approximately $116 million of capital projects that are required for Logan to remain open and operational long-term. IDOC intends to continue to house the individuals in custody at Logan until the rebuild is complete as long as it is safe to do so. However, in the event the conditions of Logan continue to deteriorate, or a part of its critical infrastructure fails, IDOC may need to relocate all individuals in custody at Logan prior to the completion of the rebuild. […]

Logan Correctional Center serves a multifaceted population consisting of reception and classification, protective custody, general population and mental health units. Nearly 1,000 of Logan’s current housing unit beds were built more than 90 years ago for a mental health population. Most of the buildings at Logan, including most of its housing units were built nearly a century ago for patient wards in a mental health institution. These units do not meet the ideal standards of modern correctional practices, are not supportive of a rehabilitative environment and complicate the overall delivery of required services. Additionally, the facility is fueled by a coal-fired plant that dates back to 1930.

* Also this…

Ability of the current and potential communities to provide the infrastructure to support functions and employees.

Since 2010, Logan County has seen a population decline of 2,715 (1%). The county is 90% white, 8% American Indian/Native American, and 1% Asian. Additionally, approximately 20% of residents aged 25 or older hold at least a bachelor’s degree.

Since 2010, Will County, where the Department is seriously considering building the new Logan facility, has experienced significant population growth, with an increase of over 20,000 residents, bringing the total population to approximately 700,000. This demographic expansion includes a diverse population, with 13% identifying as African American and 20% as Hispanic or Latino. Additionally, over 35% of residents aged 25 or older hold at least a bachelor’s degree.

These demographic factors are essential as they ensure a robust talent pool from which to recruit and fill positions, particularly in specialized fields such as medical and social work. Additionally, Will County’s proximity to other collar counties and Cook County enhances access to a broad network of providers and vendors, further supporting the facility’s operational needs and the rebuild process.

* Costs…

The Department estimates that it could take up to approximately $7 million to complete the transition for Logan and Stateville Correctional Centers. Please see below:

o Relocation of Individuals in Custody - $76,200
o Staff Redeployment - $603,800
o Legal Costs - $402,500
o Operational Adjustments at Receiving Facilities - $5,750,000
o Grand Total - $6,832,500

These expenses, once incurred, would be paid from the Department’s operating budget, which is appropriated from the General Revenue Fund

IDOC’s Stateville Correctional Center report is here.

…Adding… Gov. Pritzker was asked about this at an unrelated event…

This is still being worked out. There will be hearings, as you know, this is part of the process. But you have to understand that we have to make changes. This has to happen. Changes have to take place because these prisons have not been upgraded or renovated in many, many years. Many of them are very, very old. and particularly we’re talking about Stateville and Logan.

And so, you know, we’re going to be careful about it, especially because we want to protect not only the corrections officers, but the people who reside in or serving their sentences. And unfortunately, over many years, the state has neglected to do anything about the conditions in these prisons. We’re stepping up and actually making a proposal and then putting the money forward to do the right thing. And I think that should be commended. And I also think that in protecting the people who work there, that’s something that I deeply care about. And we’re going to do that in all of the processes that are lending themselves right now. So I think this is the right way to go. We’re doing it the right way.

Please pardon all transcription errors.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Apr 29, 24 @ 12:05 pm

Comments

A decision to move the facility to Will County sounds reasonable. Though you have to feel for Lincoln/Logan County economy- especially after the recent closure of both their colleges.

Comment by Lakefront Monday, Apr 29, 24 @ 12:18 pm
Well given its age this can’t be blamed on Edgar and his prisons as compensation for deindustrialization in small town IL plan. But this same demographic issue will arise in some of those places too, if it hasn’t already.

Comment by cermak_rd Monday, Apr 29, 24 @ 12:58 pm
Will County may be growing, but not everywhere. Crest Hill has seen a larger population decline by percentage than Logan.

“compensation for deindustrialization in small town IL plan.”

Seems that’s still the plan, just with a different town now.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Monday, Apr 29, 24 @ 1:05 pm
== These demographic factors are essential as they ensure a robust talent pool from which to recruit and fill positions, particularly in specialized fields such as medical and social work. Additionally, Will County’s proximity to other collar counties and Cook County enhances access to a broad network of providers and vendors, further supporting the facility’s operational needs and the rebuild process.==

The problem is this “robust talent pool” has access to far better jobs in Will County than IDOC. Stateville has had staffing issues for decades, even when other facilities were fully staffed. It’s hard to find people who want to work 3-11 with Tuesdays and Wednesdays off when there are better jobs nearby. The cost of living is also higher in Will County but the staff will be making the same salary as the downstate staff - making the job even less desirable.

Comment by Southern Dude Monday, Apr 29, 24 @ 1:18 pm
Totally different than what they said in appropriations committee. They were also asked if Stateville would be co-ed as is rumored. They said NO. Wonder if that was a lie too. Tough to believe any testimony given by anyone in this administration.

Comment by Southern Belle Monday, Apr 29, 24 @ 1:18 pm
I hope AFSCME asks some questions quickly in a very public fashion such as how successful was IDOC at Joliet Treatment Center in filling the workforce necessary to operate a small facility in Will County. Will counties representing southern Illinois be allowed to give input on how they are to deliver new female inmates to the R&C (this trip could be 7 hours one way)? Not too mention the disruption of the lives of inmates not eligible to go to Decatur CC who live in central and southern Illinois. Is IDOC planning on increasing the security level of Decatur to take in these women?

Comment by I Love Decatur Monday, Apr 29, 24 @ 1:31 pm
The problem is the “robust talent pool” has far better job options than working for IDOC in Will County. Stateville has had staffing issues for decades because there are just better jobs out there. People aren’t lining up to work 3-11 with Tuesdays and Wednesdays off for several years unless it is one of their only options.

Comment by Southern Dude Monday, Apr 29, 24 @ 1:34 pm
Part of the problem was facilites were built all over the state to prop up local economies. That should never have been done. Invest in what is already in place to begin with instead of trying to buy local votes.

Comment by GoneFishing Monday, Apr 29, 24 @ 1:43 pm
I still remember the George Ryan years and the little towns fighting over new prison projects;” Is we is, or is we isn’t, gonna get ourselves a prison?” Was a music video made by one town’s chamber of commerce.

In hindsight, sowing prisons like crops was a bad idea, but at the time it bought a lot of votes.

Comment by Give Us Barabbas Monday, Apr 29, 24 @ 1:51 pm
I’m sold old I can remember the days DOC would have to sneak a prison into a community due to local opposition centered around perceived safety issues.

That was before small towns starting losing their jobs due to plant closures and agriculture related jobs falling in numbers.

Then it became a contest between towns represented by GOP lawmakers to see who could hand the state the most “goodies” like free water and electricity if they built in their small town.

Comment by Give Me A Break Monday, Apr 29, 24 @ 1:59 pm
Thanks, Give Us Barabbas. This is amazing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5-d2WOgpfQ

Comment by Wow Monday, Apr 29, 24 @ 2:04 pm
From the first section posted above of the Tribune article- “Additionally, the facility is fueled by a coal-fired plant that dates back to 1930.”

Minor thing, but fails to recognize that Logan County is one of the downstate counties that has been putting industrial wind and solar in nearly as fast as the companies submit applications. The “type” of electricty that could power the prison shouldn’t be a hurdle that is impossible to overcome.

Comment by Anon221 Monday, Apr 29, 24 @ 2:10 pm
I look forward to downstate GOP legislators who refuse to engage in constructively building a budget starting to complain about old state facilities being moved out of their districts.

Comment by SpiDem Monday, Apr 29, 24 @ 2:47 pm
== I hope AFSCME asks some questions quickly in a very public fashion==

Well, being JB didn’t give AFSCME much notice on the original announcement, I would assume they found out about this new plan at the same time as everyone else.

Comment by Southern Dude Monday, Apr 29, 24 @ 2:49 pm
Since this is being made into a prison industrial complex debate I guess I would ask what is wrong with having a prison that includes a reception and classification, medical, and mental health unit located on I-55 near I-72 centrally located between Peoria, Bloomington, Springfield, and Decatur. Additionally, a near equal distance from Dixon, Quad Cities, and Marion. Seems to me like you could not pick a better location for such a facility. Sounds like the Governor’s Office needs to be reminded that like voters not all inmates are from Cook County.

Comment by I Love Decatur Monday, Apr 29, 24 @ 2:56 pm
I think claim about the “robust talent pool” is a big old red herring. According to the consultation group IDOC hired to review facilities, Statesville was near the top of the list for staff vacancies and Logan was near the top of filled position.

Comment by Illiana Monday, Apr 29, 24 @ 3:55 pm
I would suggest naming a corrections director with actual corrections experience before I would spend a billion tax payer dollars on a new facility. I don’t think its a secret that IDOC is wildly miss managed. Lets get under control what we have before adding more.

Comment by Pete Mitchell Monday, Apr 29, 24 @ 4:10 pm
having lived in Lincoln for some time, here are my thoughts.

Lincoln used to have two colleges. These colleges attracted mainly first time college students from the south and west sides of chicago. These students were not welcome by the community and they were constantly harassed by neighbors and the police. why anyone went to school in lincoln was beyond me, there was nothing for the student body to do, and no community support or involvement.

With respect to the prisons, the prison guards treated it like a continuation of high school. The stories and broken families I witnessed made me shake my head. idk, maybe that behavior is at all prisons.

Finally, a community is largely responsible for its own prosperity, when the wealthiest members of a community (business owners, farmers etc) send their kids to live elsewhere and spend more money on homes and new businesses elsewhere (see florida, california, etc) that tells you something.

Comment by Merica Monday, Apr 29, 24 @ 4:13 pm
=Sounds like the Governor’s Office needs to be reminded that like voters not all inmates are from Cook County.=

Nearly 80% of the states population reside in Cook and the collar counties, and 90% of the JB Sucks sign reside in the other counties.

Lol, kinda funny how badly people want those government jobs now.

Comment by JS Mill Monday, Apr 29, 24 @ 4:34 pm
First of all, it seems a little odd to only focus on Logan County vs. saying Will County is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. Either only focus on Will County or include McLean and Sangamon Counties when talking about Logan County. I’d be curious what percentage of IDOC employees at Lincoln and Logan do not reside in Logan County but I’m guessing it’s pretty sizable.

Secondly, I agree with the other comments. Just because there are more people in Will County doesn’t mean there are more people willing to work for IDOC. Just because you move a facility to an area with a larger minority population doesn’t necessarily translate to more minorities working for IDOC, which seems to be what IDOC was getting at with the demographics discussion.

Overall, I was not very impressed by the report IDOC put together and I think legislators are going to have a lot of tough questions for IDOC. The prisons absolutely need to be rebuilt but I’m skeptical the current plan is the best option.

Comment by MyTwoCents Monday, Apr 29, 24 @ 5:15 pm
== Nearly 80% of the states population reside in Cook and the collar counties, and 90% of the JB Sucks sign reside in the other counties =

Seems pretty obvious Logan County was misled and lied to by the Governor’s Office. Logistically the prison is located in the center of the State, and the staffing issue, as Illiana points out is false. Logan County residents have pretty good reasons to put JB Sucks signs in their yards.

Comment by Southern Dude Monday, Apr 29, 24 @ 5:38 pm
What the department ISNT talking about is

how this will permanently move +500 careers away from Logan County and Central Illinois to the north in the middle of a hiring crisis as the department has about 3,000 vacancies for officers and other entry level positions.

How Decatur cc only houses the low classification offenders and only about 10% of Logan cc’s population meet the criteria

How 60% of the inmates’ families will have their drive time severely extended if they move it north

How there might be an entry level “position” available for its staff, but vancies for promotional titles (sergeants, lieutenants, majors, counselors, supply staff, maintenance staff, food service)are non existent meaning about 20-30% of its staff will have to take a lower position, hurting their livelihoods and their families

How many Logan county and Central Illinois staff will be forced to uproot their families for this political stunt.

How the state already owns hundreds of acres around Logan and could build on existing Land and use the existing staff from Central Illinois

How bad Logan County and Central Illinois was affected when JDC closed

Comment by Central Illinois 24 Monday, Apr 29, 24 @ 6:05 pm
== How many Logan county and Central Illinois staff will be forced to uproot their families for this political stunt ==

Agreed, and a political stunt is exactly what this is. Anyone with operational knowledge of IDOC will tell you the same thing.

A political stunt that will cause major harm and JB said “We’re stepping up and actually making a proposal and then putting the money forward to do the right thing. And I think that should be commended.”

And he wants commended for this political stunt.

Comment by Southern Dude Monday, Apr 29, 24 @ 7:05 pm
@TheInvisibleMan In my opinion suburbs not being welcoming towards affordable housing is the reason for the state’s population decline. Rust belt decline is real but for the most part in Chicagoland the problem is that the select suburb doesn’t have an actual growth mentality. Of course there are exceptions, Antioch comes to mind for me.

Comment by Macon Bakin Monday, Apr 29, 24 @ 7:21 pm